Exodus 16:17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little.
Like many, I struggle with scarcity mentality, with the fear of lack, of running out. I joke that I could survive for a very long time if I were cut off from all means of obtaining necessities because of the things I’ve squirreled away. This tendency doesn’t fill me with joy, however.
Exodus 16:18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
This tendency feels like a necessity, but what it really is is a crutch to give me the illusion of control, and God has been whispering to my heart for a while to surrender this tendency to Him, to fully trust Him, to rely on Him instead of clinging to the illusion that I am in control.
Exodus 16:19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”
Lord, Trying to maintain the illusion of control is exhausting. Trying to squirrel things away so that I feel safe is exhausting. I hear You calling me to surrender this illusion of control, to trust that You will provide for me daily–manna from Heaven. I want to listen. I want to heed Your voice, but I’ve been trying to do it on my own for so long that I don’t know where to start. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 16:20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
Have a blessed day.